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\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT LAUTOKA
\par APPELLATE JURISDICTION
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15953486 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. HAA 007 OF 2010
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\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 Appellant
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15953486 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 SHIRLEY SANGEETA CHAND
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 Respondent
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\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 Mr. J. Singh for the Appellant
\par Mr. H.A. Shah for the Respondent
\par 
\par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 Date of Hearing:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 8 July}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  2010}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
\par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 Date of Judgment:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 15 July 2010
\par 
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\par [1]\tab On the 27th February, 2009 the respondent was charged with eleven counts of money laundering contrary to section 69 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 1997, in the Nadi Magistrates\rquote  Court.
\par 
\par [2]\tab On the 21st December 2009 the respondent was acquitted of the charges by the Resident Magistrate when the State was part way through the prosecution on the basis that an application for adjournment by the State was without reasonable cause.
\par 
\par [3]\tab The State now appeals that acquittal, properly sanctioned by the DPP under section 308(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code. 
\par 
\par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 Chronology
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
\par [4]\tab The charges were laid on the 27th February 2009 and were subsequently amended and filed in the Nadi Court on the}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
20th November, 2009.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 The respondent pleaded not guilty to the amended charges on
 the 23rd November 2009 and on that date exhibits were tendered by consent and the first prosecution witness (}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 PW1}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 ) was called.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
Being unable to finish the evidence of PW1 the matter was adjourned part heard until 27 November 2009.
\par 
\par [5]\tab On the 27th November the Magistrate was unavailable in the morning, and in the afternoon the defence counsel (who is not the Counsel appearing on this appeal) was absent for religious reasons.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 The date of 30 November 2009 was set as }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
mention only to fix a hearing date}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 .
\par 
\par [6]\tab On the 30th November 2009 the prosecution informed the Court that the senior State Counsel responsible for the case was unavailable in December and that a date in February 2010 would be greatly convenient.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 Defence Counsel however was most insistent that an early date be set for continuation citing }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 administration of justice and a duty to the public at large}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 .}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 The Magistrate fixed the 21st December 2009 for continuation.
\par 
\par [7]\tab On the 21st December, the prosecution informed the Court that Senior State Counsel was not in a position to proceed on that date and they made application under section 202 of the Criminal Procedure Code to have the matter adjourned.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 The State Counsel had just returned from a conference in Hong Kong and had to attend to urgent business in the DPP\rquote s Office.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 Moreover the witnesses (including PW1) were not available.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 The Defence Counsel opposed the application for adjournment, doubting the truth of the State Counsel\rquote s submissions, and arguing that no reasonable cause had been shown at all.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 In a written ruling the learned Magistrate refused the adjournment and ordered the State to proceed.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 The State not having any witnesses had to concede that there was insufficient evidence to establish a }{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 prima facie}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486  case and the Magistrate acquitted the accused.
\par 
\par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 The Appeal
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
\par [8]\tab The State appeals on the grounds that \endash 
\par 
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\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 the learned Magistrate erred in fact and law in the exercise of his judicial discretion to acquit the respondent;
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\par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (ii)\tab}}\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid15953486 {
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 the learned Magistrate erred in fact and law when he acquitted the respondent despite the State\rquote s submission that the evidence against the respondent was overwhelming.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15953486 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
\par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (iii)\tab}}\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid15953486 {
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 That the learned Magistrate erred in fact and law when he acquitted the respondent in light of the case being of extreme public interest and importance, and that the acquittal is an }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 affront to justice}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 .

\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15953486 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
\par [9]\tab These unhappily worded grounds are supported by written submissions from the State, relying on relevant Fiji case law and stressing that the Magistrate failed to consider }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 the overall interest of the case}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
, in that it was a serious fraud case and }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 an enormous amount of documentary evidence is involved}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 .
\par 
\par [10]\tab 
The respondent through her counsel has filed written submissions stressing that the Magistrate properly exercised his discretion in refusing the adjournment and relying on cases which state that an Appellate Court should not lightly interfere with the exe
rcise of that discretion.
\par 
\par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 The Law
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
\par [11]\tab The Fiji Court of Appeal said in }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 Robert Tweedie McCahill}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486  CA 43/90:}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid15953486 {\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
The granting of an adjournment is a discretionary matter with which an appellate court will not interfere unless it is satisfied that the discretion was not exercised judicially }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 (sic)}{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486  and the rights of the parties were thereby defeated altogether}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486  

\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15953486 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
\par and again in }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 Rajesh Chand and Shailesh Kumar}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486  CA 56/99:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid15953486 {\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
If it appears that the result of the order made in the Court below is to defeat the rights of the parties altogether or to do an injustice to one or other of the parties, the appellate court has a duty to review such an order.}{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 Where the refusal of an adjournment would seriously prejudice a party, the application should be granted.}{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15953486 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
\par [12]\tab Section 202 of the Criminal Procedure Code, Cap. 21, deals with adjournment.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 It states \'85
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid15953486 {\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 202(1) \endash  }{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 During the hearing of any case, the Magistrate must not normally allow any adjournment other than from day to day consecutively until the trial has reached its conclusi
on, unless for good cause, which is to be stated in the record.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15953486 {\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
\par {\listtext\pard\plain\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (2)\tab}}\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls2\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid15953486 {
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 For the purpose of subsection (1) good cause includes, but is not limited to, the reasonably excusable absence of a party or witness or of a party\rquote s legal practitioner.}{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15953486 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
\par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 Analysis
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
\par [13]\tab There can be no doubt that the charges laid against the respondent were serious and of great public importance, given that the legislature saw fit to visit them with maximum penalties of}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 20 years imprisonment.
\par 
\par [14]\tab At first glance, it would appear that a failure to proceed with the case was the desire of the prosecutrix in carriage to undertake an entirely unnecessary trip to Hong Kong at the expense of this serious prosecution.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 However the issues involved go deeper than that.
\par 
\par [15]\tab In his ruling the learned Magistrate referred to four adjournments out of which three had been at the request of Counsel for the DPP.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 This finding however is unfair to the State.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
Two of those adjournments were when the case was in the pre-trial stage and the other could not proceed because the Magistrate was elsewhere and the defence counsel was performing religious rites.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 The only request to adjourn of substance was made on the 21st December 2009 when the Magistrate had been forewarned of difficulties faced by the prosecution at
 the previous hearing on the 30th November 2009.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
It cannot therefore be a factor to determine the issue that the State had unilaterally delayed the hearing.
\par 
\par [16]\tab The reasons given by State Counsel in applying for the adjournment were in the main legitimate and the ruling of the Magistrate appears to be more punitive rather than reasoned.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 In knowing that the State was not ready to proceed (and having been earlier warned that that might by the case) the Magistrate insisted that the State call evidence which 
they were not prepared to do (even though they did have two of their witnesses there) without completing the evidence of PW1 who was not available.
\par 
\par [17]\tab Money laundering is an insidious and very corrupting offence.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 It goes to the heart of any commercial t
ransaction and is highly destructive of the legitimate financial network of the nation\rquote s economy.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
It is therefore in the public interest that any allegations of money laundering be aired and deliberated upon judicially and judiciously.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
That being the case, then it would be a great injustice to the State to prevent them calling their evidence in trial merely because the Magistrate perceived that State Counsel were as he said }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 dragging the matter on}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 .}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 The record below does not reflect this finding.
\par 
\par [18]\tab It is also a factor to be considered that a trial is complex and involves a great deal more preparation than normal trials.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 As 
Fatiaki J. said in }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 State v Verma}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486  [2002] FJHC 3}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
, when dealing with a similar appeal:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid15953486 {\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
The trial Magistrate erred in being unduly concerned with the personal circumstance of the respondent }{\i\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 and}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
 in failing to have regard to the overall }{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 interests of justice}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486  including the seriousness of the charge preferred against the respondent \'85the fact that the charge, in form, was for a \lquote general deficiency\rquote 
 which is notoriously more difficult to prepare and prove than a single offence of stealing a specific amount on a specific date; and finally, in improperly perusing the record of the earlier proceedings against the respondent prior to d
elivering his ruling on the prosecution\rquote s application.}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15953486 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 
\par [19]\tab All of these factors mentioned are present in the instant case and the Magistrate appears not to have taken them into consideration.
\par 
\par [20]\tab Whilst I am of the view that the Magistrate exercised h
is discretion judicially (obviously), he did not exercise it judiciously and thereby defeated the right of the State to be given reasonable latitude to present its case, a case which is serious and very much in the public interest to be fully vented.

\par 
\par [21]\tab In the premises the appeal is allowed, the order for the acquittals quashed and the case is to be remitted to the Nadi Magistrates\rquote  Court for trial }{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 de novo}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486  before a different Magistrate.
\par 
\par [22]\tab The hearing of this case should be accorded the highest priority and to this end, first call of the case will be in the Nadi Magistrates\rquote  Court on Monday 26th July 2010.
\par 
\par [23]\tab It is to be noted that my judgment in this appeal touches in no manner on the substantive issues involved in this case; the appeal is one on procedure alone and this judgment a decision on points of procedure and nothing more.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15953486 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 Paul K. Madigan
\par Judge
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15953486 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486 
\par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid10828566 At Lautoka
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15953486\charrsid15953486 15 July 2010
\par }}